Echelon sorter



May 18, 1965 R. B. LARTER 3,184,067

ECHELON SORTEH Filed Dec. 1o, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N NQ) *i May 18,1965 R. B. LARTER 3,184,067

ECHELON SORTER Filed Dec. 10, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. @4 nya/v05 Z M75/ A ofafvfys United States Patent O 3,184,067 ECHELON SORTERRaymond B. Larter, P.0. Box 39652, 3726 Elingham Place, Los Angeles,Calif. Filed Dec. 10, 1962, Ser. No. 243,253 7 Claims. (Cl. 211-10) Thisinvention relates to echelon sorters, that is, to apparatus for sortingletters, checks, and the like, alphabetically or numerically, andincluded in the objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an echelon sorter Which includes a set of separatorpanels slidably and tiltably mounted on guide rods in such a manner thatthey may be readily moved, manually, to facilitate rapid insertion ofletters, checks, and similar objects therebetween.

Second, to provide an echelon sorter wherein the separator panelsincorporate novel, inclined, indicia-bearing means which facilitaterapid sorting.

Third, to provide an echelon sorter which is easily assembled anddisassembled, and wherein the separator panels may be increased ordecreased in number to accomplish various sorting requirements.

Fourth, to provide an echelon sorter which may be track-mounted topermit rapid, transverse movement to facilitate the sorting operation.

With the above and other objects in view, as may appear hereinafter,reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the echelon sorter with a portion thereofshown in section;

FIGURE 2 is a top view thereof with most of the separator panelsremoved, with the back plate shown fragmentarily and portions of thebase bars in section;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, transverse, sectional view taken through 3 3 ofFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view of one of theseparator panels taken from circle 4 of FIGURE 1, and showingparticularly the tab structure;

FIGURE 5 is a similar fragmentary view showing the tab structure in itsunfolded condition;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken through 6 6 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, elevational view similar to FIGURE 4, showinga modied form of tab structure;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken through 8 8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, sectional view taken throughone of the base bars, showing a glide unit tted therein;

FIGURE l() is a transverse, sectional View thereof taken through lll-10of FIGURE 9.

The echelon sorter includes a forward and rearward base bar 1, eachcomprising a tubular metal sleeve 2 in which is fitted a core 3,preferably of wood. The ends of the base bars are closed by end plugs 4.

The two base bars 1 are joined by a series of parallel guide rods 5. Theguide rods are fixed in the rearward base bar and are slidably receivedin sockets in the forward base bar. Adjacent their extremities the basebars 1 are connected by tie rods 6 which extend through the base bars.

The tie rods 6 are provided with heads which secure brace straps 7 toone of the base bars 1. Each brace strap comprises an arcuate portion 8and a rearwardly extending portion 9 in which is fitted a button pad 10.The other or forward ends of the tie rods 6 receive wing nuts 11.

The tie rods 6 slidably support a back plate 12 extending substantiallythe length of the base bars 1. The back plate 12 is intended to restagainst the rearward base bar 1 and slope upwardly and backwardlytherefrom.

The guide rods 5 slidably receive a plurality of separator lddd?Patenten May is, ieee panels 13. Each separator panel is essentiallyrectangular in shape except that one cornerV is notched to form asloping margin 14. Each panel 13 is provided with one or morelongitudinally extending, reinforcing ribs 15, and is provided along itslower margin with a row of perfora- .tions 16.

The tie rods 6 are spaced from each other a distance equal to several ofthe perforations 16, the spacing being such that at least two guide rods5 support each panel 13. By reason of the series of perforations 16, thepanels 13 may be arranged in echelon formation, as shown in FIG- URE 1.The panels 13 may be offset the distance between adjacent perforations16 or a pair of perforations, or more if desired.

lndicia slips 17 are mounted along the sloping margins 14 of theseparator panels 13. Two means for securing the indicia slips areillustrated.

Reference is first directed to FIGURES 4, 5, and 6. In the constructionhere illustrated, an integral retainer 1S in the form of a rectangularloop extends from the sloping margin 14, and is adapted to be foldedover the front side of the separator panel 13. The retainer 1S isprovided with a tab 19 at its extended side adapted to be inserted in aslit 20 formed in the separator panel 13. When folded, the retainer 18forms a window 21 through which the indicia slip 17 is exposed when itis inserted between the retainer 18 and the separator panel 13.

The second means for securing the indicia slip 17 is illustrated inFIGURES 7 and 8. In this construction there is provided a U-shaped clip22, preferably formed of spring material, which when forced over theseparator panel 13 tends to grip opposite sides thereof. The clip 22 isencased in a transparent cover member 23, the ends of which are fittedbetween the legs of the clip 22. Space is provided between the forwardside ofthe cover member 23 and the clip 22 to receive the indicia slip17.

Operation of the :echelon sorter is as follows:

The back plate 112 extends the combined width of the group of panels 13,and determi-nes the lbackward tilt angle of the panels. The back plate12 may rest against the back base bar 1, as shown in FIGURE 3, or at anyposition forward-ly thereof.

The separator panels -13 ylit loosely on the guide rods S so that theseparator panels lmay be tilted forward lor rear-ward a limiteddistance, as suggested in FIG- URES 2 land 3. The indicia slips 17 bearnumbers 0r letters, `or both, to indicate the divisi-ons intfo `which itis desired to sort la series of letters, checks, or similar objects.

Sorting its accomplished by inserting the objects to be sorted betweenthe separator panels 13, the panels being flipped forward or rearwardrto provide an open sl-ot to receive each item. The separator panels 13are preferably dimens-ioned so that the indicia-'bearing portions arelabove the upper margins of the objects to be sorted.

The number of separator panels '.113 to be used depends upon the numberof classiiications lof t-he objects to be sorted. In some instances alarge number of separator panels 13 is required, which would necessitatethat the loperator rea-ch Ilaterally to manipulate the end separatorpanels. In this case it is preferred to mount the base bars 1 on tracks.This is accomplished, .as illustrated in 'FIGURES `9 and 10, byinserting a glide unit 274 in each end of each base bar y1. One type ofglide unit involves a pai-r of plates 2.5 defining :an essentiallyelliptical guideway for a plurality of bal-ls i26. One side Iof theguideway is flattened and the plates 2S form a slot 27, exposing theballs 26 so that the balls may roll 'on a track 28. With thisarrangement the spacing tbetween the base bars 1 is -sutlcient toprovide :stable support without the brace straps 7, `and the entiresorte-r may be freely moved laterally.

ice

3 lf desired, two or more sorters may be arranged, one 'back of theothers. For example, a tfront sorter, wlth relatively short panels, maybe provi-ded for s-ortlng checks,

' and a rear sorter, with relatively :high pane-ls, may be provided :forsorting letters. Y

While particular embodiments of this invention =hav been shown anddescribed, it is not intended to limit the ysame to the exact Idetailsof the constructions set forth, and it embraces such changes,modilications, and equivalents of the parts an-d their formation andarrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An eehel'on sorter, comprising:

(a) )a pair of parallel ibase bars each having :enlargements at the-ir-ends to `support said bars above an underlying sur-face;

(b) a plurality of guide rods extending therebetween;

(c) a plurality of separator panels havingrlperforations along theirlower margins to receive selected guide rods and disposed in fee-helenrelation, said panels being tiltable and slidable on said rods betweensaid base bars; Y

(d) one upper corner of each panel being beveled to form a slopingmargin at the upper portion of one side; Y V

I(e) :and indicia-retaining means disposed along said margin.

Y 2. An eehelon sorter as set tforth in claim 1, wherein: Y

(a) said indiciaretaining means is an integral fold'- ab-le loop elementoverlying one yside of said margin.

y3. An echelon sorter as set Iforth in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said indicia-retaining Imeans is a clip member slidable over saidmargin.

4. An echelon sorter, comprising: Y

(a) a plurality of separator panels having vertically :extendingreinforcing ribs and perfonated =lower margins; 1

(b) eac-h. separator panel having one upper `corner (c) a plurality ofsepanator panels having perforations along their lower margins toreceive selected guide rods and disposed in techelon relation, saidpanels being tiltable and slidable 4on said rods between said base bars;A f

(d) and a back plate formed of sheet material and perfo-rated lat itslower margin to receive said guide rods, said perforations beingproportioned to limit tilting of .said back plate to a lesser anglethansaid separator panels whereby the rear'wa-rdmost of said separatorpanels .bears against the upper margin of said back plate, said backV'plate being s'lidable on said rods when said back plate is movedtoward a' vertical position, and caused to grip said rods when :engagedat its upper margin by said separator panel.

6. An ech-clon sorter, comprising:V

(a) a plurality of separator panels having perforated lower margins;

(b) each separato-r panel having one upper corner and adjacent side cutaway to form a sloping margin;

(e) ,indicia-retaining means disposed along sa-i-d rnar- `(d) a frameincluding a plurality of parallel guide rods threaded through selectedperiorations in said ypanels to dispose said panels in echelon relationand .brace straps secured to and extending rearwardly from said frame; f

(e) and a backwardly tilted back plate extending the combined width ofsaid V:plural-ity of panels and perforated to receive said 'guide rods,said back plate beingslidable on said guide rods to control the spacingbetween said panels.

7. An echelon sorteras set forth in Iclaim 5, wherein:

(a) glide `elements are carried by said base bars;

(b) and a track is provided `for said glide elements.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED n STATES PATENTS CLAUDE A. 'LERY, Primary Examiner.

1. AN ECHELON SORTER, COMPRISING: (A) A PAIR OF PARALLEL BASE BARS EACHHAVING ENLARGEMENTS AT THEIR ENDS TO SUPPORT SAID BARS ABOVE ANUNDERLYING SURFACE; (B) A PLURALITY OF GUIDE RODS EXTENDINGTHEREBETWEEN; (C) A PLURALITY OF SEPARATOR PANELS HAVING PERFORATIONSALONG THEIR LOWER MARGINS TO RECEIVE SELECTED GUIDE RODS AND DISPOSED INECHELON RELATION, SAID PANELS BEING TILTABLE AND SLIDABLE ON SAID RODSBETWEEN SAID BASE BARS; (D) ONE UPPER CORNER OF EACH PANEL BEING BEVELEDTO FORM A SLOPING MARGIN AT THE UPPER PORTION OF ONE SIDE; (E) ANDINDICIA-RETAINDING MEANS DISPOSED ALONG SAID MARGIN.